Steel industry returns to Sanford

The Sanford plant that for 25 years housed Johnson Steel is again filled with the banging and crashing of heavy equipment and the hiss of torches cutting into steel.

The plant no longer is Johnson Steel, but part of Genzink Steel Corp. of Holland, Mich. A few employees began fabricating steel last week, and mothballed equipment is being put online again as production is picking up.

Genzink Chief Operating Officer Steve Andree said Genzink hired some former Johnson workers to go to Holland after Johnson closed, and has hired others to go back to work in Sanford.

Andree worked eight years for Johnson, ending up as senior vice president. He said six or seven people now work in Sanford, with plans for at least 10 by early October. The work force could increase to 15 in November and, by next spring, to around 25.

Johnson closed after work had grown scarce and the company gradually had reduced its staff. Genzink has had its share of tough times in the recent economy, just as Johnson did, Andree said. But the company's diversified work includes steel for buildings, as well as structures and components for heavy equipment makers, building contractors and other steel fabricators. Its structures are used to build equipment for industries such as railroads, coal mining and die casting.

"We got some diversification going, which was somewhat of a saving grace," he said.

"This is a great opportunity for Genzink Steel, for me personally and for the Sanford area," Johnson said. "We have a lot of talented people in this area for steel fabrication."

The new venture is an answer to needs in both Sanford and Holland. Genzink had planned a 30,000-square-foot addition to its Holland plant to handle growing business. But although there were idled workers in west Michigan, they weren't the welders and fabrication fitters Genzink needed, Andree said.

He figured Johnson's building was still empty, and called Johnson.

"When I worked for Johnson, we had 50 fabricators in the shop," Andree said. "I knew most of these people were still in the area. I'd tried to get them to come this way but it was still too far for them to travel."

After Johnson and Genzink officials worked out the arrangement, it was time to start contacting people to see who could come back. Some had gone to work at other companies, some had stayed around and taken whatever jobs they could find, Andree said.

Genzink was established in 1961 by Donald Genzink, who worked out of a pickup truck with a welding machine. The company now is in its second-generation ownership with his son, Ken Genzink, as chief executive officer. The company prides itself on its willingness to take on tough jobs that require heavy welding, Andree said.